He's taken on the task of increasing the number of minority-owned businesses in Jacksonville. That's why a local entrepreneur is starting a networking group called First Thursday's. The group met for the first time today. Tim Pulliam is LIVE now with more on the group's goals...tim? 3 I talked to the owner ? OWNER? tonight.He says that many black-owned businesses are not maximizing their potential through technology and working together. He plans to change with his First Thursday group. 3 00-05 21-26 44-49 1'20- 1'25Ezekiel Thomas has run A barbershop off Lem Turner Road for seven years.He says business is good, but he hopes now that he's a member of First Thursday Jacksonville it will be even better.The new group is focused on connecting African-American entrepreneur's with each other to grow and promote their business.Ezekiel Thomas/ Barbershop manager 131503 I think it's good because a lot of businesses don't have the knowledge or the ability from a marketing perspective.Larry Williams is the founder and CEO of First Thursday in Jacksonville, a program he launched 10 years ago in Seattle when he realized minorities were not promoting their businesses properly. Larry Williams, CEO, First Thursday Jacksonville 125340 Our businesses-60% of them don't have an internet presence.Here in Duval County, in the United States, but specifically here.ET 131547 We just never got around to setting one up But Williams plans to change that. Members will be able to create their own website through the First Thursday website, which Williams says will give them the tools to maintain it and cyber link to other minority- owned businesses across the country.Richard Cuff owns a marketing company. He attended today's open house.Richard Cuff/ President of CTI Marketing 130947 I'm hoping that I can grow my business to the point where I can compete with some of the big businesses.LW 125630 We talk about the economy. How we can strengthen our businesses -- business to business mentoring. We bring in the CEOs of some of these companies here. How did you get there? 3 The group is really open to anyone but the focus is on minorites.So far the group has about 20 members.City leaders are really excited about this program. I spoke with Councilman Jim Love by phone who told me he recently became a member.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

Local entrepreneur Larry Williams told Channel 4 Thursday that he wants to grow minority-owned businesses in Jacksonville and in order to do that, Williams started a networking group called First Thursday.

The idea behind First Thursday is to give minority-owned businesses more networking power. Williams said many minority-owned businesses in Jacksonville are not maximizing their potential advertising through growing technology.

"Our businesses -- 60 percent of them -- don't have an Internet presence. Here in Duval County, in the United States, but specifically here," said Williams.

Williams first launched First Thursday 10 years ago in Seattle when he realized that minority businesses were not promoting themselves properly. Williams told Channel 4 that he now wants to change the way minority-owned businesses network themselves in the river city.

“We talk about the economy. How we can strengthen our businesses -- business-to-business mentoring. We bring in the CEOs of some of these companies here,” said Williams.

Barber shop owner Ezekiel Thomas attended the first meeting of the group Thursday night. Thomas owns Citadel Barber Salon, off Lem Turner Road and said business is good, but he is always looking for ways to improve it.

“I think it’s good because a lot of businesses don’t have the knowledge or the ability from a marketing perspective,” said Thomas.

Williams said the group is for anyone, but does focus on helping minority businesses. Right now, the Jacksonville group has 20 members.

Councilman Jim Love told Channel 4 Thursday night that he is excited about the program and that he recently became a member of First Thursday.

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